Everyone at the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Foundation is saddened by the untimely death of a key member of its board of directors. Car-building legend Boyd Coddington passed away early Wednesday morning, Feb. 27, at a hospital in Whittier, Calif.

Founder of Boyd's Wheels and designer of prize-winning custom cars, Coddington won the prestigious "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award seven times and was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show and Street Rod Marketing Alliance Halls of Fame. Boyd set a standard for workmanship and creativity with his popular "Cadzilla" creation, considered a design masterpiece. The customized car, based on a 1950s Cadillac, was built for rocker Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Through his cable TV reality show, "American Hot Rod," Boyd continuously introduced sheet metal work to the mainstream public.

"Boyd joined our board in October, and we were excited about working with this industry guru who so enthusiastically shared his love of metalworking," said FMA Foundation Director Terrence Egan. "Besides being one of the winningest hot rod builders of all time, he was my good friend who constantly amazed me with his creativity. My condolences go out to his wife, Jo, his family, and his employees."

Boyd also supported numerous philanthropic causes through his Boyd Coddington Foundation serving children with disabilities and kids who are terminally ill. He also took under his wing a number of individuals with Down Syndrome, training and employing them in his business.

"Boyd's work with children was an inspiration." said FMA President & CEO Gerald Shankel. "FMA is proud to have been associated with so creative an artisan in our industry, and so generous a philanthropist. We're grateful for his brief time with us."

Boyd, 63, had been hospitalized twice recently for a medical condition, but was thought to have been in recovery.

Funeral services have been set for Wednesday, March 5, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in La Habra, with a reception to follow that afternoon at Boyd Coddington Hot Rods and Collectibles.